British and American English might seem similar on the surface, but there are certain phrases that can cause serious confusion at times.
Some expressions mean the complete opposite depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on, leading to awkward misunderstandings, raised eyebrows, and occasional chaos. Whether it’s everyday conversations or workplace jargon, these phrases might leave one or the other of us second-guessing what was actually meant.
1. “I’ll ring you.”
In the UK, saying “I’ll ring you” means you’ll call someone on the phone. It’s a completely normal way to say you’ll get in touch. But to an American, “ring” usually means something to do with jewellery or bells, so this phrase can leave them momentarily puzzled. Some Americans might think you’re talking about physically giving them a ring, which makes things even more confusing if it’s said in the wrong context. If a Brit tells an American they’ll “ring them later,” they might get a surprised look in return.
2. “I’ll knock you up in the morning.”
To us, this just means they’ll knock on your door to wake you up or visit in the morning. It’s a fairly common phrase, especially in older generations. But to an American, “knock up” has a very different meaning — it’s slang for getting someone pregnant. That misunderstanding has led to plenty of awkward moments, especially when British guests casually tell their American hosts, “I’ll knock you up first thing.” It’s guaranteed to raise eyebrows, or at least get a few laughs.
3. “She’s a bit homely.”
Over here, saying someone is “homely” means they’re warm, welcoming, and good at making a house feel cosy. It’s generally a compliment. But in the US, calling someone “homely” means they’re plain-looking or unattractive. Us using this word to describe a friend’s new partner or a colleague’s personality might end up causing unintentional offence in the US. Meanwhile, Americans using it in the UK might confuse people who assume they’re describing someone’s skills around the house.
4. “I’m just going into hospital.”
In the UK, if someone says they’re “going into hospital,” it usually means they’re being admitted or having a medical procedure. We don’t say “the hospital” — it’s always just “hospital.” In the US, though, the phrase “going into hospital” sounds like someone is about to train as a doctor or take up a new job there. Americans say they’re going “to the hospital” instead, which makes more sense to them. The difference can lead to mild panic when a Brit casually mentions they’re “popping into hospital for a few days.”
5. “I’m just going to the toilet.”
To us, this is a perfectly normal way to say they’re heading to the bathroom. But to Americans, this sounds oddly specific — why announce you’re going to the actual toilet rather than just saying “bathroom” or “restroom”? Many Americans find this phrase a little too direct, while Brits find it strange that Americans avoid using the word “toilet” in everyday conversation. The result? A lot of awkward pauses when this phrase is casually thrown into conversation.
6. “That’s quite good.”
In American English, “quite good” means something is really good — almost excellent. But in British English, “quite good” is a very reserved way of saying something is just okay or slightly better than average. If a Brit tells an American their cooking was “quite good,” the American might think they’ve been highly praised, while we actually meant it was decent but nothing special.
7. “I’ll table that for later.”
In the UK, “tabling” something means bringing it up for discussion. If a British person says they’ll “table” an idea, they’re planning to discuss it soon. In the US, though, “tabling” something means putting it aside indefinitely — basically, shelving it. This difference has caused real confusion in business meetings. If an American tells one of us that they’re tabling their idea, we might expect it to be discussed immediately, while the American thinks they’ve just postponed it pretty much until never o’clock.
8. “He’s in a right state.”
Over here, saying someone is “in a right state” means they’re in a mess — physically, emotionally, or both. It’s often used when someone is stressed, dishevelled, or not coping well. But in America, being “in a state” usually just refers to someone’s location, as in a specific U.S. state. An American hearing a Brit say, “He’s in a right state” might think they’re just pointing out where someone lives rather than describing their emotional meltdown.
9. “You’re full of beans.”
In British English, being “full of beans” obviously means you’re full of energy, lively, or excited. In American English, it usually means you’re full of nonsense or lying about something. However, if we tell an American they’re “full of beans” after an enthusiastic speech, they might think they’re being called a liar instead of just being praised for their energy.
10. “I’ll give you a biscuit.”
On this side of the pond, a biscuit is a sweet, crunchy snack — what Americans would call a cookie. But in the US, a biscuit is a soft, savoury bread roll, usually eaten with gravy. If we were to tell an American we’re bringing them a biscuit with their tea, the American might be confused — or pleasantly surprised, depending on their expectations.
11. “I’ll get back to you momentarily.”
In the US, this means “I’ll get back to you very soon.” In the UK, “momentarily” means “for a brief moment,” so we might assume the person will only check in briefly before disappearing again. This small difference has led to plenty of mix-ups in emails and business calls when a Brit thought they’d be getting a fleeting response rather than a quick one.
12. “Can I cadge a ciggy?”
Here, this simply means borrowing a cigarette. In the US, however, this phrase means something entirely different — leading to shock, confusion, or awkward silence if used in the wrong setting. British tourists in the US asking strangers this question have likely caused more than a few concerned looks.
13. “We’re going to have a proper row.”
In the UK, a “row” (rhyming with “cow”) means an argument or fight. In the US, “row” is just a line of things — like a row of chairs or houses. If a Brit tells an American they had a huge row last night, the American might wonder why a line of objects was so dramatic — and why they’re pronouncing “row” wrong.
14. “I was sat there for ages.”
Brits often say “I was sat” instead of “I was sitting,” which makes perfect sense to us. But to Americans, this phrasing sounds weirdly passive, like someone placed them there rather than them choosing to sit down. It’s a tiny difference, but one that makes us sound a bit off to American ears.
15. “He’s really knocking me up lately.”
To Brits, “knocking up” can mean waking someone up or annoying us. Again, to Americans, it strictly means getting someone pregnant. This one has led to more than a few double-takes when we use it in casual conversation with Americans.
16. “We’re mad about it.”
In the UK, “mad about” something means you love it. In the US, it just means you’re angry. If a Brit tells an American they’re “mad about” a new TV show, the American might assume they hate it. It’s one of those small but surprisingly misleading differences that can make conversations take an unexpected turn.
